President Donald Trump is hosting Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the White House, marking the first visit by a Syrian head of state since the country gained independence. The meeting follows the lifting of longstanding sanctions on Syria after al-Sharaa led the forces that ousted Bashar Assad and became interim leader. The United Nations Security Council also voted to lift sanctions on Syrian officials, signaling a shift in international relations. Syria is set to join a United States-led coalition against the Islamic State group, deepening military cooperation. Al-Sharaa is seeking a permanent repeal of sanctions, with proposals in Congress ranging from unconditional removal to conditional reviews, sparking debate among advocates and lawmakers.